I Am Piano

a musical instrument in which felt-covered hammers, operated from a keyboard, strike the metal strings.

pi•a•no [pee-ah-noh] adjective

soft; subdued.

These are the first two definitions of piano from dictionary.com, October 2011, and they are essentially the two sides of the same word I was considering when I started to sing the words ‘I am piano’ back in late 2008.

One can definitely argue it’s not true, that I am neither one of these definitions. But singing those words really felt right, especially at that time, and all things that feel right must be grounded in some kind of truth, right?

I posted this video clip on my (now dormant) flickr page soon after I wrote this song, feeling energized by this new musical idea in the same way that I am every time I create something new, eager to share it with the world and for the world to share it with me by offering outside feedback.

One of the first comments was something like, ‘Please make this an album song.’ This recording is a belated response to that comment which I never forgot.

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102 Comments on “I Am Piano”

Amy Cui

Melissa

commented on Mar 23rd, 2017

I just learned that piano meant soft the other day in my music lesson. Makes me feel I arrived at this page for a reason. I still can’t bring myself to play very softly though. Maybe one of these days I will learn. Beautiful music and art, Peter. Thank you.

Ryan Van Goethen

commented on Mar 8th, 2017

Hello Peter,

I am getting married in September of this year. This song is one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard . It’s progression sets the perfect tone to how I view this day. As I listen to this song, it makes me feel like something special is happening and that is the vibe I would love to create for our wedding day. I hope that this is not bad form, if it is, please just tell me. Is there an option to purchase the sheet music so that we can have an orchestra play this song?

Please let me know, would love to have this song played on our wedding day.

Maithili Deena

commented on Feb 7th, 2017

hey Mr. Peter,
this is such an amazing and a real beautifulll piece of art that you have created. I am a designer from India, working on creation of a line for the visually challenged , helping them imagine colors . Please allow me to use your track for my collection. I’m blessed to have come across your art “I am piano! “. would like to take your consent sir .thank you much for being here, in this universe same as mine.. feeling blessed truly.! Take tons of care..!

SeokWoo Chang

commented on Dec 19th, 2016

Dear Peter,
Hi my name is SeokWoo Chang and I’m live in South Korea. I’m a university student and my major is Film study.
I heard your piano song which is named ” I am Piano ” and it was really great song.
And I want to use that song for my video so before I use the song I wants to ask you to the permission of using you song In youtube.
The video has similar ambient withhttps://vimeo.com/167807122
This video. Our video talk about the the bloom of youth. Also the vide is a Student work which has no aim of any profit or income. and if is possible to use your song we will make a video and we will upload it to youtube. so I want to ask again it is possible to use your song also if there is any terms about copy right or conditions for using the song we wants to know that!
For our video we hope to use your great song Thank you so much to read this also I’m sorry that my english is so bad hehe

pollo

Joel Saterfiel

commented on Sep 18th, 2015

I like it, all your music is straight from your heart and your heart is expressed so fully through that instrument. Definitely something worth making a song about! I saw you at the Doug Fir in Portland some time ago and i still regard it as a special experience in my life. To see such pure unpretentious expression without worry of judgment allowed me to see you and the simple beauty of your heart. The kind of beauty we all have but unfortunately sometimes gets snuffed out by the ugly parts of this world. I sincerely wish this never happens to you. This world has an appetite for hearts like yours, it wants to devour it, until theres nothing left but an empty,broken, and lost person and at the end say “see.. there was nothing there”. But even if that was the case, that shining and burning heart that stands alone and refuses to die will still sing and be heard. I wish i could sit with you and teach you the answers to the questions that keep you up. There is a force that exists that works in direct opposition to the force this worlds Ruler put on you and everyone. A force that believes in the beauty of man. That wants to bring about a world where the hearts of all mankind will thrive and shine brightly without fear. What great music we will all make then!

joaane

asli

commented on Mar 5th, 2014

Hi Peter!
I love you and your sound because I think your sound is directly linked with winter and I am in love with winter.
I want to see you in Turkey. I hope that one day you can come. In Turkey, there are many people who like your sound.

David Ortman

commented on Aug 25th, 2013

Peter – I absolutely love your music…and don’t forget that I told you not to forget about me when you get big! LOL. You’ve really made great music. I’d like at some point to come to a show if you are in Portland. Take care Peter.

June Parc

v

Julio one of your mexican fans

commented on Apr 10th, 2013

i’m a professional photographer
and man i love your work
im always seeking for inspiration
to take pictures
and your music
it touches my soul
i feel in peace, relax, nostalgic and a little melancholic
but all in a very good and peaceful way
it really put me in a very good mood
so thank you very much

i don’t if it is the correct way to share my image from Flickr
i will just put the URL
when i was editing this picture in particular i thought of your music
thanks for everything again
Saludos desde Mexico
un Abrazo
and sorry for my bad english

Kirill

James

commented on Feb 25th, 2013

Heard this on Bob Harris on the weekend. I was driving and as soon as it started I turned up the volume and paid full attention, something about the intro had me transfixed. Congratulations on writing a beautiful song, I’m going to order your album tonight.

Tony the meteorite slayer!

commented on Feb 24th, 2013

Just heard this track on ‘Bob Harris Sunday’ on BBC Radio 2 here in London UK. It is so hauntingly beautiful that I have just ordered the CD from Amazon!! Keep up the good work and keep making the music!!

stefan

Jack

Emilia Munoz

commented on Oct 23rd, 2012

One morning I woke up, turned on “I Am Piano” and felt as if I had just woken up for the first time. My father is a Buddhist, studying deeply and meditating through the days. He says it was a spark of enlightenment, a moment where you’re so deeply brought into the present moment that you can see clearly. This song allowed me to see clearly, even if for a fleeting second. It let me see.

Kevin Crowley

Fausto

commented on Aug 3rd, 2012

Nice to meet you Peter, i like so much your music, i think when i listen your music a lot of good feelings, i think my favourite song thats ”diverge”.
This song represent for me you’re a sentimental person, and i like it so much.

Thanks you for all your music, i’m your fan number 1º!!

See you, and good day for Galicia (North of Spain) and sorry for my english )

Damien

Mike

commented on Jul 6th, 2012

Truly a fantastic track, it really does take me somewhere good. I find when the vocals come in it detracts from the place where the instrumental was taking me, any way of getting hold of a mix down without the vocals at the end? Cheers, Mike

Mike

replied on May 27th, 2014

Two years on and still greatly enjoying this track. When I returned here a while back I had missed the window to download the mix down before it expired.. If you still have it to hand would you mind uploading it/sending it over again? (sorry) (email is treemanfresh at gmail dot com)

Peter Broderick

replied on May 30th, 2014

will send it to you via email soon!

Mike

kamol

commented on Jul 5th, 2012

ohh!! very well played and interesting composition also. i tried to play the instrument but i can’t but what can do is listening it. i just readout your content and i feel interest to your works. i’ll follow your job. thanks

Cara Frances

commented on Jun 25th, 2012

I have such a huge crush on this song right now. I caught it late the other night on XFM and it’s fast becoming one of my favourite songs of the year. Beautiful, refreshing.. wonderfully light in a way that I don’t feel i’ve encountered much lately. Some beautiful songs make me feel almost exhausted after listening to them, but I just cant help wanting more and more of this.. totally stuck on repeat. I’m really glad I stumbled across your music, i’m loving everything I hear. I’ve found ‘human eyeballs on toast’ particularly affecting. Looking forward to hearing more
Cx

Jedadiah Bernards

Amy Underwood

commented on May 14th, 2012

I like your concept. Been hoping I stumble across something pretty this evening, surpassed my expectations. You have the eyes of a warlock and you’re a nice kooky monkey. Will spread the word via the world wide web Much love Piiiiaaaannnooo x

Peter Broderick

Moody

commented on May 7th, 2012

Ever since I picked up Home, I’ve been telling friends that they should be listening to you. It’s so rare to find work like this, with such an honest approach, such delicacy embraced by openness. You make my heart glad. I am very happy you have given your work to the world. Thank you!

grahammorgan

commented on Apr 20th, 2012

I just discovered your new album after hearing this track on the BBC R6 Guy Garvey show. Full credit to BBC Radio for playing Nils Frahm last year which resulted in me seeing him in a Scandinavian Church in Liverpool and later following the music trail which lead to you and your beautiful music.
Hope you tour the UK in the future.

Hagenmayer

Benjamin van Vliet

commented on Apr 13th, 2012

I just reviewed your album for the Dutch magazine Gonzo (circus) and about this song I wrote that you can probably write songs like these in your sleep by now, but they still have great effect. I hope you take that as a comment

Sergio

Joe Cain

commented on Apr 11th, 2012

What a wonderful song, I head this whilst drifting off to sleep on the radio in England.. Was a joy.. I had to keep myself from falling asleep just to hear who this lovely sound was created by. Thank you Peter for this amazing piece of music!

Michael Meighan

commented on Apr 9th, 2012

Absolutley beautiful. Yet another reason why you are my constant source of inspiration. My new colection of songs is dedicated to you sir. They would not be possible without you (or Heather or Nils). These songs are to, for, and because of you. It’s a few months away from completion, but a few new songs can be heard here if you have a few minutes. A million times, thank you.

Antoine

nichi

commented on Mar 4th, 2012

I love the feeling of space and flow in this piece. I find it incredibly soothing in a very deep, soulful way. I heard some of your music on Radio 6 today and had to discover more. Its wonderful, thank you.

amk

Ashley

commented on Feb 29th, 2012

It’s one of those warmer rainy days here in VA on the 29th of February when I came upon this. I plopped myself down on an empty library floor and pulled the headphones out of my computer so it could bounce off the walls. Could not have felt more at peace. Thank you for this.

FreddieLeeFroth

commented on Feb 25th, 2012

Just read my Mojo mag while in the bath & was curious what this ‘Link that is an album’ was … i’m already glad I did, that was beautiful … everything kind of stopped around me while it was playing, that rarely happens to me these days after so many years of listening to music … Thank you !
Gonna listen to the rest now before bed …

Ben

Peter Broderick

replied on Feb 26th, 2012

hi ben!

that’s a good question . . . but i decided not to offer that option on the site, in the hope that if people like all the tracks they can seek out the album in it’s entirety, whether that be by downloading or buying a cd or vinyl. hope that makes sense, and thanks for the feedback!

Ben

replied on Feb 27th, 2012

Ah, gotcha. I don’t think I realized that a download or physical copy would ever be an option. Make sense now. Thanks, Peter!

Peter Broderick

replied on Feb 26th, 2012

hi jerry.

i haven’t read too much on the subject . . . but i do love john cage’s writings about music and general philosophy. especially his book “silence”. i guess that’s not really answering your question directly, but maybe it’s interesting anyway…

A.

Richard

commented on Feb 19th, 2012

I remember this from the valentine’s day show at Union Chapel…I think you started the set with it.
It’s not long been valentine’s day again, and although many things have changed I am still in love with the piano.